Tow mirrors for 2500 RAM

[Bug Out]

Has anyone here bought aftermarket tow mirrors for their RAM, 2009- 2013? I see what looks like OEM mirrors on ebay for $200 or so, the flip up style that comes from the factory. I see GENOS sells mirrors that extend out horizontal,$400 approx. I'm wondering if the horizontal give you as much view as the OEM mirrors?



I have two different types of "strap on" (as I call them) mirrors. One is a camping world special and the other the CIPA slip ons. Both work "OK" but I can't back into the covered stall worth a beans with either. OEMS were great, could see all I needed and could slip the trailer right in the slot every time.



Night driving is more like driving under the influence of a hallucinogenic ( never have-just guessing) where you see "multiple cars on both sides from 4 different mirrors" and forget it all if they are vibrating any... .



Long story as to why my truck "did not" come with OEM mirrors.



Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Go with the Kool vue ones on eBay. They're oem quality, and look the same. I did the same thing to my 99 and they were excellent. Will be happy you did it.

 

[mwilson]

Bug Out,



I did talk to RAM in regards to your mirror issue. Do you have the power folding mirrors????



Mike.

 

[AH64ID]

Go with the Kool vue ones on eBay. They're oem quality, and look the same. I did the same thing to my 99 and they were excellent. Will be happy you did it.

I have read multiple reviews stating they are not OEM quality, and the mirror will shake on the slightest imperfection in the road and are all but unusable on gravel/dirt roads.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Those were most likely mirrors that did not have the stabilization bracket on the inside of the door. I had the brackets and had very little shake on mine. They worked great.

 

[Cissco]

I bought some from rock auto for my 06 . I could not tell any difference in them and the factory ones on my 04.

 

[Bug Out]

Mwilson, no, just stock heated regular mirrors.

 

[JR]

Those were most likely mirrors that did not have the stabilization bracket on the inside of the door. I had the brackets and had very little shake on mine. They worked great.

I've had the same experience with mine. Twice the mirror as the little mickey mouse OEM mirrors and just as stable. 90% of my miles are all back roads/country roads.

 

[AClayton]

Those were most likely mirrors that did not have the stabilization bracket on the inside of the door. I had the brackets and had very little shake on mine. They worked great.

I can honestly say mine are over 3 yrs old and continue to remain better than oem quality. I have the 3 hole interior retaining brackets as well.

 

[Bug Out]

These are the ones I was looking at. I have found them for as little as $175. I'd rather buy OEM but they want if I recall right approx $450 ea.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-2012-R...d=100033&prg=7990&rk=2&rkt=2&sd=370867398750&

These are another set I was looking at:

http://www.am-autoparts.com/search.html?words=am-3149345572&x=19&y=11

 

[JR]

AM Auto is where I bought mine from, for some reason I was thinking they were the Kool Vue brand.

 

[NIsaacs]

The AM-Auto link appear to be manual operation.

Nick

 

[JR]

They also have power heated, at least in the 2nd gen mirrors, I would imagine they have to be available in the 4th.

 

[mwilson]

Bug Out,



See if the dealer offers a kit instead of trying to sell each mirror by itself. That was the case for third generation tow mirrors and was far cheaper.



As for your ongoing battle to change to tow mirrors if you don't have the power fold mirrors then I don't understand why they are telling you that the existing mirror control module will not operate tow mirrors.



The RAM guy that I talked to seemed to think that a module change would only be required if your OEM mirrors had the power fold option.



Bob 4X4, can you check that out if you get a chance????



Mike.

 

[AH64ID]

Those were most likely mirrors that did not have the stabilization bracket on the inside of the door. I had the brackets and had very little shake on mine. They worked great.

Interesting, I raid many reviews (many different forums and audiences) and all said the shake was based on the design of the reflective surface being plastic and lighter than the OEM glass.

Are stabilization brackets needed if you have OEM tow mirrors?

 

[Ram4Sam]

Interesting, I raid many reviews (many different forums and audiences) and all said the shake was based on the design of the reflective surface being plastic and lighter than the OEM glass.

Are stabilization brackets needed if you have OEM tow mirrors?

The brackets are an OEM part that come with the OEM tow mirrors.

Sam

 

[Bug Out]

Mwilson, I'll ask if they sell a kit. That would be nice . I'll spend a little bit more for OEM, but not $400 more for just mirrors and no install.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have not converted any of the 13 mirrors yet but I have seen a note that say you must order the oem not the accessory part number. The acc numper is a 12 mirror and will not have the ambient sensor in it leaving you with a code in the pcm

 

[Bug Out]

Bob4x4, I remember when I first got the truck, I went right to the dealer and they were saying something about a relay or resistor going out when they did try installs on 2500 that did not have them, tow mirrors from the factory. In fact at that time, Late April 2013,they did not even list a part number for them on the 2500.

I'm fairly certain chrysler would only make one tow mirror to fit 1500, 2500 3500's. . I think the doors are the same. I wonder if the wiring harness is in place for turn signals etc on the regular wire harness mine would have for power mirror and heated mirror? I dont have the turn signal on my mirrors. I could care less about the heated mirror but would settle for electric mirror. .

Is the ambient sensor for the temp gauge or? I'll have to do more research on this. I cant imagine it would be a major deal just to put mirrors on a vehicle... . But then again, who knows... .

 

[Bug Out]

Ok boys... . I called the dealer parts and they told me that if you attempt a "tow mirror" install with anything other then " manual" mirrors,(2013 of course) the module in the door will not work. Apparently the trucks with tow mirrors installed have a "module" installed that allows the mirrors to work..... If you up-fit a truck, the power portion will not work... .

I called GENOS and talk about dead ends like your talking to Auto Zone... . I try to give GENO my biz, but sometimes they are just too high $$

So, I guess my options are real small like... ... . Keep the "SLIP ON'S" that look like, well you know what I was gonna say... . Or, to retain my dignity in front of Ford and chebies in RV parks, I may have to resort to "MANUAL" mirrors... ... ... I can just leave them extended to look like I have a tough truck... That way I wont have to reveal I have a idiot truck with manual mirrors in the year of 2013... ... ..... I wish there was rule that any truck over 40K MSRP gets tow mirrors unless... ... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... . lol